Accelerated Early Childhood Education (Acc)
This program is offered in both a licensure and non-licensure option.
Wisconsin licensure option
This program is designed for working adults who wish to pursue a bachelor degree in education and teaching license for children ages birth through grade 3.
Non-licensure option
Students in this option will not obtain a teaching license from the state of Wisconsin. This program is specifically designed for candidates residing outside of Wisconsin who wish to pursue a Concordia education in teaching but do not intend to obtain a Wisconsin teaching license. This option may be particularly appealing to those who are not Wisconsin residents but are interested in earning the Lutheran Teacher Diploma, which would make them eligible to receive a Call from a Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod school to serve as a church worker. This adaptation aligns with federal Department of Education regulations, which restrict out-of-state learners from enrolling in licensure programs outside their home state.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Learner Development: The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences (Human Relations, Pedagogical Knowledge)
2. Learning Differences : The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards. (Human Relations, Pedagogical Knowledge)
3. Learning Environments: The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation. (Teaching Practice, Human Relations)
4. Content Knowledge: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content. (Content Knowledge)
5. Application of Content: The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
6. Assessment Strategies: The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making. (Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Knowledge)
7. Planning for Instruction: The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context. (Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Knowledge)
8. Instructional Strategies: The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. (Pedagogical Knowledge, Communication Skills, Teaching Practice)
9. Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
10. Leadership and Collaboration: The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
11. Character/Faith Development: All teachers model a value system which emphasizes moral and ethical character. Teachers in Christian schools integrate faith and learning while modeling Christian mission and service with a biblical worldview. Lutheran teachers adhere to the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. (Human Relations, Professional Dispositions, Content Knowledge)
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Traditional Core Requirements | 44-47 | |
| Early Childhood Major Requirements | 73 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 120-123 | |
Core Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theology - Public Education | ||
| REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
| REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC) | ||
| REL 2010 | Old Testament | 3 |
| REL 2020 | New Testament | 3 |
| REL 2030 | Biblical Theology | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Dimensions | ||
| ENG 2100 | College Writing | 3 |
| Communication or Language course | 3 | |
| Faith and Life Elective | 3 | |
| ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| HHP 1115 | Fit and Well | 2 |
| Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course | 3 | |
| MATH 1190 | Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
| ENV 1050 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
| Society & Culture elective | 3 | |
Early Childhood Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Component | ||
| ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ED 1231 | Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy | 3 |
| ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
| ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching | 3 |
| Practical Component | ||
| ED 2204 | The Art & Science of Teaching Reading | 3 |
| ED 2221 | Infant and Toddler Development | 3 |
| ED 2327 | Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| ED 2358 | Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 | 2 |
| ED 2466 | Health, Safety, and Fitness for the Young Child | 3 |
| ED 3356 | STEM: Math in Early Childhood | 2 |
| ED 3357 | STEM: Science and Environment in Early Childhood | 2 |
| ED 3359 | Curriculum and Techniques in Early Childhood | 4 |
| ED 3400 | Creativity in Early Childhood | 2 |
| ED 3401 | Instruction & Assessment of Reading | 3 |
| ED 4479 | Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| MATH 1200 | Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
| Clincial Component | ||
| ED 4501 | Clinical Field Experience 1 | 3 |
| ED 4502 | Clinical Field Experience 2 | 3 |
| ED 4503 | Clinical Field Experience 3 | 3 |
| ED 4504 | Clinical Field Experience 4 | 1 |
| ED 4505 | Clinical Field Experience 5 | 1 |
| ED 4506 | Clinical Field Experience 6 | 1 |
| ED 4507 | Clinical Field Experience 7 | 3 |
| Student Teaching Component | ||
| ED 4412 | Portfolio Completion - Elementary/Content Tests | 1 |
| ED 4425 & 4425 | Early Childhood Student Teaching and Early Childhood Student Teaching (Course taken twice during the stuident teaching semester) | 12 |
| Elective credits | 3 | |
| Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| Christian Teacher Certification Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| Select one of the following | ||
| REL 3500 | A Survey of Christian Thought | 3 |
| REL 3860 | Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church | 3 |
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| PHIL 3250 | Christian Apologetics | 3 |
| PHIL 3340 | Christ and Culture | 3 |
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Licensable Post-Traditional Core Requirements | 44-47 | |
| Non-Licensable Early Childhood Major Requirements | 73 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 120-123 | |
Core Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theology - Public Education | ||
| REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
| REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC) | ||
| REL 2010 | Old Testament | 3 |
| REL 2020 | New Testament | 3 |
| REL 2030 | Biblical Theology | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Dimensions | ||
| ENG 2100 | College Writing | 3 |
| Communication or Language course | 3 | |
| Faith and Life Elective | 3 | |
| ED 1102 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| HHP 1115 | Fit and Well | 2 |
| Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, Literature or Graphic Design activity course | 3 | |
| MATH 1190 | Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
| ENV 1050 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ED 1103 | Human Relations for Teachers | 3 |
| Society & Culture elective | 3 | |
Early Childhood Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Component | ||
| ED 1230 | Nature of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ED 1231 | Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy | 3 |
| ED 1275 | Human Learning | 3 |
| ED 4411 | The Profession and Ethics of Teaching | 3 |
| Practical Component | ||
| ED 2204 | The Art & Science of Teaching Reading | 3 |
| ED 2221 | Infant and Toddler Development | 3 |
| ED 2327 | Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| ED 2358 | Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 | 2 |
| ED 2466 | Health, Safety, and Fitness for the Young Child | 3 |
| ED 3356 | STEM: Math in Early Childhood | 2 |
| ED 3357 | STEM: Science and Environment in Early Childhood | 2 |
| ED 3359 | Curriculum and Techniques in Early Childhood | 4 |
| ED 3400 | Creativity in Early Childhood | 2 |
| ED 3401 | Instruction & Assessment of Reading | 3 |
| ED 4479 | Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| MATH 1200 | Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 | 3 |
| Clincial Component | ||
| ED 4501 | Clinical Field Experience 1 | 3 |
| ED 4502 | Clinical Field Experience 2 | 3 |
| ED 4503 | Clinical Field Experience 3 | 3 |
| ED 4504 | Clinical Field Experience 4 | 1 |
| ED 4505 | Clinical Field Experience 5 | 1 |
| ED 4506 | Clinical Field Experience 6 | 1 |
| ED 4507 | Clinical Field Experience 7 | 3 |
| Student Teaching Component | ||
| ED 4412 | Portfolio Completion - Elementary/Content Tests | 1 |
| ED 4425 & 4425 | Early Childhood Student Teaching and Early Childhood Student Teaching (Course taken twice during the stuident teaching semester) | 12 |
| Elective credits | 3 | |
| Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| Christian Teacher Certification Requirements | ||
| ED 2306 | Teaching the Faith | 3 |
| Select one of the following | ||
| REL 3500 | A Survey of Christian Thought | 3 |
| REL 3860 | Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church | 3 |
| REL 4000 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| PHIL 3250 | Christian Apologetics | 3 |
| PHIL 3340 | Christ and Culture | 3 |